A heartbreaking but ultimately life-affirming tale of a young girl's tragic death at the hands of a serial killer, Alice Sebold's novel appeared in American bookstores just at the time several child abductions made its message painfully timely. Delve into the intricacies of this wrenching story through these questions:

• How is Sebold's vision of heaven unique? Why have some readers criticized it?
• Why does Susie haunt her friends and family after her death? What is she looking for?
• Why has The Lovely Bones resonated so strongly with American readers?